Spring structure



.E. W. SCHLAPPRITZI ET AL SPRING STRUCTURE Filedl Feb. 18, y1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENToRs TZI EINAR OLS E N EVE RETT S.TALLMA`DGE April 26, 1938. E. w. scHLAPPRlTzl ET Al. 2,115,400

SPRING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS EDWARD W.SCHLAPPRlTZl EINAR oLsEN EVERET TALLMADGE ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Edward w. sehlappruxi ma Einar olsen, Minneapolis, and Everett S. Tallmadge, St. Paul, Minn.; said Olsenandsaids'lallmadge assignors to said Schlappritli Application February 18, 1935, Serial No. '1,118

SClaims.

to provide a spring structure of this type wherein substantially C-shaped leaf springs are utilized between lower and upper frames for cushioning the latter. A

Another object is to provide a spring structure wherein opposite sides of theA upper frame are exible and hinge-like in action so as to compensate for flexing of other parts of the structure.

Another object is to provide a spring structure wherein opposite ends of the upper frame are formed of wire and are connected to opposite sides of said frame and to adjacent tie members for the c-shaped springs.

Another object is to provide a spring structure having stabilizers at opposite ends thereof.

Another object is to provide a spring structure wherein the lower frame is formed of tubing.

Another object is to provide a spring structure vwherein the tie membersfor the C-shaped springs are themselves braced by ilexible straps or bands.

Another object is to provide a spring structure wherein the bands just mentioned have arched, corrugated or longitudinally curved portions which not only prevent the bands from buckling or snapping, but also compensate for flexing of the tie members and C-shaped springs.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a spring structure embodying our inventiom' Figure 2 -is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of 4the structure;

Figure 4 is -a sectional view taken on the line I-l of Figure l;

Figure 5 is'a. sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 1;

Figure-6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the structure; Y

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a slight modification. l

Referring now to the. drawings, A and B, respectively, are the lower and upper frames, and C are the intermediate substantially C-shaped leaf springs of a bed spring embodying our invention. A

As shown, -the lower frame A is vsubstantially rectangular in conguration and is formed of tubing. D are transversely extending metal bars terminally secured to opposite sides I and 2, re-

spectlveLv, of the lower frame at spaced points longitudinally thereof, while E are laterally spaced longitudinally extending bars formed from substantially flat stock and terminally secured to opposite ends 3 and l, respectively, of said lower frame. Preferably the horizontal flanges 5, of the bars D are welded to thetubing forming the lower frame, while the last mentioned bars -E' rest upon and are riveted to said horizontal ilanges 5 of the transversely extending bars D and have depending ilanges 6 at their opposite ends riveted to the tubing of the lower frame. Adjacent the flanges 6 the bars E are'oiset upwardly as at 1.

Preferably the C-shaped springs C are arranged in rows above and extend upwardly from the longitudinally extending bars E.- As shown, the innermost rows C' and C of springs open inwardly toward each other, while the outer rows C3 and C4 also open inwardly in conformity with the rows'C' and C. Preferably these springs C are riveted at their lower ends to the bars E and are riveted at their upper ends to tie bars F which 'in turn are terminally secured to opposite sides 9 and III, respectively, of the upper frame B. Preferably the tie bars F are formed of spring metal andare arranged in pairs on the leaf springs C. Likewise, opposite vsides S and Iliof the upper frame are formed of spring metal and are rlvetedto the curved ends II and I2, respectively, of wire rods I3 and Il which form opposite ends of .the upper frame. As shown; each side of the upper frame comprises a series of relatively short'spring metal strips I5 which are secured together in overlapping relation. Thus, the sides S and Il are ilegible and hinge-like in action.-

IS are clips fastened on the' rods and riveted to strips I1 of spring metal which in turn are riveted to the adjacent bars of tie members F. Preferably the samerivets I8 used to connect the end C-shaped springs to the end tie members F are used to hold the strip I'l. Likewise, the ,'same rivets I! used to fasten the tie members F at opposite ends of the structure to the sides 9 and Il are used to secure the curved ends II and v I2 of the rods to the saidsides.

2l are laterally spaced spring metal bands ex- 50,

tending longitudinally of the structure and rivetfd to the underside of the ,tie members F. Preferably portions 2| of said .bands between adjacent bars of the tie members'are arched, corrugated or longitudinally curved, as shown, to compensate for flexing and to prevent the parts auss C-SprlnsS are comparatively'wide so that their -iiexure is chiefly in a transverse plane, while thereof.

from buckling and snapping. 22 and 23, respectively, are transversely extending wire rods which serve as stabilizers for the structure. Preferably the rod 22 inclines upwardly from the bar E adjacent the side Il! to an extension 25 of one of the spring strips I1 adjacent the side 9, while the rod 23 inclines upwardly from the bar E adjacent the vside 9 to an extension 26 of another of said spring strips I'l at the opposite side of the structure.

In use, the sides 3 and Il of the upper frame B are yieldable, hence they increase the flexibility of the tie members F and prevent the latter from.

buckling and snapping. The C-shaped springs C prevent the tie member F from caving in and also help to equalize the flexibility of the upper frame B. The wire rods I3 and Il and the connections with the sides 9 and l0 and adjacent tie members F serve toreinforce the structure, but are of such a nature that they permit `the desired flexibility of the other parts. The bends 2l in the spring metal bands 2! prevent the bands from buckling or snapping, while permitting the upper frame parts and tie members to flex. 'I'he stabilizers 22 and 23 atopposite ends of the spring structure prevent the said structure from rocking or twisting about its longitudinal construction the wire 32 may extend all around the spring structure and the top thereof so as to comprise an upperframe B' therefor. Actually such wire 32 -permits the proper resilient action of the spring structure while at the same time provides a firmer edge therefor and materially reinforces the same. I

One advantage of our improved construction is the flexibility of 'the` upper portion or what might be termed the "mattress frame" without permitting objectionable sagging in the center A This is due to the fact that the csprings are 'mounted at their lower ends upon longitudinally extending bars in the base frame,

said bars being terminally connected to an outer.

and comparatively rigid border frame. On the otherhand, the upper ends of these springs .arelconnected to transversely extending exible strips, the springs being of a width sumcient to bridge between a pair of these strips, while the outer ends of the strips are connected to linked i side members of a border frame and intermediate ends are connected by bowed longitudinally vextending members. The whole effect is to permit depression atvevery point in the area of the mattress frame sufllcient to conform to the shape .of -the body supported thereon, but without per,4

mitting the central portionv to sag any greater amount under the same load than the endsor side portions. Stability is imparted to the structure, rst by reason of the fact that the by'placing the springs on one side of the -center to 'nsA .face opposite from those on the otherside a bal- 1. In a. bed spring construction, a lower frame, parallel'ceshaped leaf vsprings arranged and intermediate their ends to said transverse rows of leaf springs, and. longitudinally extending flexible strips terminating at each end short of the end members of said upper frame and secured .to said tie barsA intermediate the connections between said tie bars and said C-shaped leaf springs.

2. In a bed spring construction, a lower frame. parallel c-shaped leaf springs arranged to flex in transverse planes, carried by said lower frame, and disposed in a plurality of transverse .and longitudinal rows, an upper frame having end and flexible side members, transverse tie bars connected at their ends Ato said side members and intermediate their ends to said transverse4 rows of leaf springs, and longitudinal strips extending substantially the entire length of said frame, but terminating at each end short of the end members of said upper frame and' secured at their ends to the tie bars adjacent the ends of said frame and to the intermediate tie bars along lines intermediate the connections between said tie bars and said C-shaped leaf springs.

3. In a bed spring construction, a lower frame,

parallel C-shaped leaf springs arranged to ex in transverse planes, carried by said lower frame and.

disposed ina plurality of transverse and longitudinal rows, an upper frame having end and ilexible sidevmembers, transverse tie bars connected at their ends to said side members and intermediate their ends to said transverse rows of leaf springs, and longitudinally extending flexible strips terminating at each end short of. the end members of said upper frame and secured to said tie bars intermediate the connections between said tie bars and said VG-shaped leaf springs, said tie bars being arranged in pairs, with each p air connected to a single transverse row of leaf springs, the connection between said tie bars and side members including a link pivoted intermediate itsends to said side members, and disposed between adjacent pairs of tie bars,the end of each tiev bar being pivotally connected to an end ofthe adjacent link. i

4. In al bed spring, a lower rigid frame, an upper frame having end and flexible side members, intermediate transverse tie bars connected at their ends to said side members, a pluralityof rows of C-shaped leaf springs arranged to flex in transverse planes, carried from the lower frame and connected at their upper ends to said tie bars, the tie bar adjacent the end members of said upper frame terminating short of the side member of said upper frame at the point of connection with the outside leaf'spring, a strut secured to the end` of said Iframe adjacent said leaf spring, and extending longitudinally a short distance beyond and secured to said leaf spring, and a diagonal brace rod secured` to said strut adjacent its free end and to said lower frame. d

5.. In a bed spring, a lower rigid frame, a plurality of transverse rows of C-shaped leaf springs arranged to flex in transverse planes, an upper frame supported from said springs, intermediate transverse tie bars connected at their ends to said upper frame, and intermediate their ends to said transverse rows of springs, a pair of transverse of bars connected at its end to the sides of said frame, the outer bar of said pair of bars terminating short of the sides of said frame, a strut secured to the end of said frame connected to the end of said outer bar and extending transversely thereto to a point inwardly of said inner bar, and a diagonalbrace bar connected to the free lend of said strut to said lower frame.

6. In a bed spring construction, a lower frame,

a plurality of C-shaped leaf springs arranged to ex in parallel planes, carried by said lower frame and disposed in a plurality of transverse and longitudinal rows, an upper frame having end and flexible sidemembers, transversetie bars connected at their ends to said side members and intermediate their ends to said transverse rows of leaf springs, Alongitudinally extending ,flexiblestrips terminating at each end short of the end members of said upper frame and secured to said tie bars intermediate the connections between said tie bars and said C-shaped leaf springs, and diagonally extending stabilizer bars interconnecting said lower and upper frames and disposed in a plane parallel to the planes of ilexure of said leaf springs.

7. In 'a bed spring construction, a lower frame, a plurality of c-shaped leaf springs arranged tov flex in parallel planes, carried by said lower frame and disposed in a plurality of transverse and longitudinal rows, an upper frame having end and flexible side members, transverse tie bars connected at their ends to said side members and y intermediate their ends to Vsaid, transverse rows of leaf springs, longitudinally extending flexible strips terminating at each end short 'of the end members of said upper frame and secured to said tie bars intermediate the connections between said tie bars and said C-shaped leaf springs, said strips being provided with bowed portions between adjacent transverse rows of leaf springs.

8. In a bed spring construction, a lower frame, a plurality of C-shaped leaf springs arranged to flex in parallel planes, carried by said lower frame and disposed in a plurality of transverse and lonl gitudinal rows, an upper frame having end and flexible side members, transverse tie bars con-- nected at their ends to said side members, said .tiel

bars b eing arranged in pairs, each pair being secured intermediate its end to a single transverse row of leaf springs, and longitudinallyrextending flexible strips terminating at each end short of the end members of said upper frame and secured tol said tie bars intermediate the connections between said tie bars and saidC-shaped leaf springs,

said strips being provided with bowed portions between adjacent pairs of tie bars.

EDWARD W. SCHLAPPRITZI. EINAR oLsEN. EVERE'IT s. TALLMADGE. 

